Poetry in motion

• Poetry in motion

Being an entertainer is a struggle. It becomes a battle after every failed audition, bomb on stage, lack of ticket sales, and of course any expression of art turning to a flop. Even when you don't feel your creative juices flowing, that can push you to hide. There comes a point when it feels easier to run away and get a “real” job, than continuing on. Every performer has ups and downs. It comes with this job. You must have your “A” game every night, every day, every moment... oh, and you are told you should also come prepared with new material each time. Some of us are even self destructive. So, Why want this life? Is there a point if in the end we can't handle all our failures? And if there is such failure, why try at all?

Recently Robin Williams had passed away by a self inflecting end. He and I suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, and the need to make others happy despite our own impending frail sadness. I suppose recently I've been considering my end game. Not to end my life, or to give up. But, the idea that, if Robin Williams couldn't take the world anymore-- Or rather, his life within this world, what chance do I have? He was a standard in life. A person who brought purposeful glow to those sad, afraid, or people committed to a finality of any given situation. I am not here to speak about Robin's death, or why he killed himself. I am here explaining that even the unknown, and known, have their battles.

I suppose I am saying; if you can, and are willing, keep on failing upward. We will have trails and tribulations. When we lose fellow soldiers of entertainment it is our job to remember what they gave to make it possible for us to fail within a business they helped nurture. When we are on stage, respect all those who had/have been on stage and those who wished they had strength to be up on stage. A fearlessness to break free of excuses and become apart of that magic. If you can't see yourself being successful, stop, breathe and rethink your plan. If you are not Networking, Marketing and Practicing; then you are standing still in your amazing, awesome and unique talent. Poetry alone is nothing if not in motion...

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” ~ Robin Williams

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

I hate, hate; but most of all, what the hell

• I hate, hate; but most of all, what the hell

The traveling adventures continue: When It comes to being out networking and marketing, I am a very open person. One of my well known traits is how expressive I can become around new people, or even strangers. I know my actions can be different for every person; but what the hell!? Let me explain. I was walk around New York City creating conversation with people. I walk up to groups, but rarely will I approach a single standing person. I want people to feel comfortable. However last night was different. I kept seeing individuals walking small cute dogs. Seeing this, I would look at a dog, not the person, and say to myself “Aw, look a puppy, cute puppy” And variations on that.

What am I getting at!? Oh, so there was this old lady walking her dog and I said the aforementioned statement and she says back to me “Asshole.” First off, her dog didn't bark, jump at me, look at me, or try and take her master for a run. It just kept on its way. Second, I only said it to myself, not her. The funnier part was I turned to one of my friends and said, “Did she just call me an asshole?”, and then I hear her say “Fagot.” Let me get the puns out of the way; A) do I look like a bundle of sticks? B) I am not a cigarette. Okay, with that out of the way; I was very confused by this moment as I think people should be a little nicer in life. To boot, my sexual preference is not determinate by how much I like puppies.

Her cruelty made me think about how often I am kind and open. My life is about making people laugh and entertain their emotions in a positive way. So when this lady said what she said, and all the rest of it, I also got to thinking how calling me a Fagot isn't an insult. She didn't understand situational context since I am not a homosexual. Clearly she wasn't utilizing the other terminologies of Fagot. I did place into consideration that she was very old and maybe Fagot was an insult back in the day. To me, I wish I could have just made her smile. I did nothing wrong, and maybe she wanted to be in her own space. But I was talking to myself at the time. You can't always win with people, but what the hell!?

Speak to people, it is more entertaining than you might think... plus, they have seen a different world than you!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Day 237 of 365

• Day 237 of 365

65,000+ is our total combined Brand awareness for Top of the Bottom Pile. Our team continues to grown this Brand across multiple social networks. It is our job to place an effort into growing a Brand relationship between fans, friends and those involved, naturally. These numbers are more important as a naturally grown number than paying for that number to grow. 1 of our 10 stages to success is happily coming together. We are proud of our hard work, but most of all, we are honored people seem to be enjoying the ride as Interest in our Brand steadily climbs.

Big numbers are exciting to have. With little to no interaction they mean nothing. Each member of Top of the Bottom Pile Brand get a great deal of interaction throughout our Social Network. It is nice to know any content is connecting with people. Top of the Bottom Pile may be the best of the worst, but without us being your second best choice we would be just 3 funny looking guys sitting at the top of a very lonely pile. Thank you so much for helping us become something more than just an idea. You are our success! Also, many amazing things are in the works!

With only a 128 days till our first full year is completed, we still have a lot more to accomplish. Preparing for our second year, we are ready for an “office”, of sorts. We are about to sacrifice our comfort for something bigger than each one of us; The next level of success. Working as a team is more than having a day job, posting a few things and/or saying “Hey, I am involved with these guys”. Working together is about actually completing tasks. Together we strengthen our weaknesses, improving our strengths, and encouraging a hope which fuels our optimism.

The best of the worst reaching the top together. You can do it too! Have a plan, create a foundation, grow your brand and be nice to everyone; because you never know who someone is or knows! Peace in truthful harmony!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

The Trap

• The Trap

In performance entertainment there is a thing I call “The Trap”. It is as dangerous as getting stuck in quicksand. Mind you, at least quicksand may kill you. “The Trap” will let you live jaded to what was once fun! A few forms of this trap are out there but ultimately they are all the same. You can place yourself into the trap. You could be tricked into the trap by others. Worst case scenario you convince yourself that being caught in the trap is a good thing. There is a future out there for people in entertainment. Trust me, I know. I am living proof. My fear is that people forget they have a choice. There is opportunities out there that will lead them into the unknown world of success!

Most commonly “The Trap” is any performance you are asked to bring people or for you to buy pre-sale tickets to perform at said venue without being compensated. Pay to Play is illegal because you must be compensated for your time or in this case, service. Bring 10 people + 4 performers = 40 person audience. You brought 10 + $10 door + drinks and food ($20 more) = $30 a person. You earned $300 and are paid $0.00 for your performance time. If this makes you happy, then throw a BBQ for friends and family, feed them and perform for a charge of $5 a person. You earn 100% for your time! If friends and family come to see you that's not building a fan-base. That and a real fan base is done through marketing, not performing. (kind of).

If you feel you will make a killing by asking your friends to perform and they will bring 10 people each you are falling for the same trap, except you are setting up THE TRAP for them. Feeling you will grow your audience because each performer is bringing 10 people is delusional unless you have marketing/branding material to hand out after each show. Even a “visit my site” business card does wonders for you! Let them remember you with an item. Most of the time, friends and family of other performers don't even want to be there let alone want to see you perform. Break free of THE TRAP. Know your rights, and know your value. Be the cause of your worth through Networking, Marketing, and Practicing!

There is more to the business of entertainment than performing. The performing is the fun part, not the business...

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Twitter (My personal twitter)
• Youtube (I make stupid videos)

Facebook:

• Thomas J. Bellezza (My entertainer page)
• BBR Productions Inc. (My production company)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Make A Right Left Here TV (My web based TV show)
• Lord Telmorn Altayon (A character I write about, the first God)
• Altayon (My Theatrical Progressive Metal Band)
• StupidAssQuestions.com (I am a contributor)

Brand me my value

• Brand me my value

An entertainers job is to know how powerful their company is. A company's survival is determined by how well its Brand Value is maintaining a steady growth of interest and interaction. There are rules to being a performer. With a life spread all over social media, in press and on an endless Internet, there is little time for a very intimate private personal life. Keep these things separated while building Brand awareness which creates interest that ultimately generates sales. Sales are people choosing to give their time into your life.

Having extremely large numbers is only as good as fan interaction. Even more so, how does a Bread interact with fans? Keeping a Brand dedicated to specific voice, image and conversation is a job all in itself. Staying on task, keeping a fan base informed, leads to expressing a Brand's life opinions. Let people see what a Brand is doing to give them an option to come on the ride by choice. Asking them to join the ride is selfish. Let them have a peek through the window without telling them they need to come on in.

Most importantly know thy own value. I know my value as a person. I am aware of who should be in and out of my life. There is a strength in knowing you can say no to people. An even stronger sense of truth when you finally say yes to yourself. 30,000+ people follow my brand all over the internet. I have a large group of friends and associates around my life. And I personally know what I am capable of. Everything I have is because of my perseverance to continue moving forward. A Brand value has a reputation, it has a voice that speaks out on what it stands for!

Be bigger than your numbers surrounding you. Become a part of this world through action. Know thy value of self...

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Twitter (My personal twitter)
• Youtube (I make stupid videos)

Facebook:

• Thomas J. Bellezza (My entertainer page)
• BBR Productions Inc. (My production company)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Make A Right Left Here TV (My web based TV show)
• Lord Telmorn Altayon (A character I write about, the first God)
• Altayon (My Theatrical Progressive Metal Band)
• StupidAssQuestions.com (I am a contributor)

Slip in, slip out: Story

• Slip in, slip out: Story

There are so many opportunities out there it almost becomes overwhelming to think about which one to take. I personally have been living my life helping others, doing what I can to educate individuals to succeed. My teachings come from a very distinct way of thinking compiled of researching, listening, learning from successful people around this world and most importantly the act of doing! Anything is possible if you have a plan. Get that plan through researching or hiring a person to guide you through your correct path.

Over these few months I have found myself rethinking a good portion of my life. What am I doing? Why am I doing it? Self reflection, inward thinking, brainstorming, these are all positive activities. Learn from where you were, are, and could be. I miss my life inside entertainment completely. It seems that time to immerse my soul into what I love should take a step closer to my heart. Our dreams, when in your hands, are controlled by self actions. Allowing your purpose to be set in the hands of others is dangerous. At any moment they could chose to take it away through self pity, bad decisions, or fear.

Control your future instead of being controlled by other people's hand on your shoulder. Aikido is an art designed in a philosophy that we do not own the land in which we stand. First rule is to “step aside” when a person comes to attack you. Let them have the space. Move to another spot and create motion. I connect with that. Always stay in motion while embracing the calm of release. Take responsibility for your own actions and that of those who you allow to control your destiny. Be more than a complaint and change things. Rain down on your storms to create bigger waves than oceans.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Twitter (My personal twitter)
• Youtube (I make stupid videos)

Facebook:

• Thomas J. Bellezza (My entertainer page)
• BBR Productions Inc. (My production company)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Make A Right Left Here TV (My web based TV show)
• Lord Telmorn Altayon (A character I write about, the first God)
• Altayon (My Theatrical Progressive Metal Band)
• StupidAssQuestions.com (I am a contributor)

Empty Pains

• Empty Pains: (writing exercise)

There was a sense of confusion waking up alone in pure darkness. I knew it was damp where I was, an inch of water resting against my body. My freedom of being aware was taken from me. Only an echo of water dripping, in what had to be a large cave of sorts, could be heard. With no other choice I was guiding myself against these ragged sharp walls. I knew I was bleeding by now, but I needed to find a way out.

I could taste a scent of light ahead. Was this a way out or just another lie of my mind hoping for a reason beyond this predicament. An empty pain blasted my eyes with a burning of sun birthed upon them. For what seemed to be an eternity, was I finally free? Last I memory I could recall, twas a summer breeze, now winter in my wake. How did I find myself lost, here, alone? Naked feet, ankle deep, in Xandea's whitest snow. I must find sanctuary. Where is my citadel?

Miles from where I awoke, wandering in confusion, my army absent in their last position. I sense war in shadows dancing in dry winds. I taste treason along the ground. A season of searching, still no remains of my army. Either they were destroyed or I've been out longer than I thought. Now to find Aiosion. She, always strong at my side. Always powerful beneath my legs. Her red scales freezing my enemy miles before they could see who rides upon her. Aiosion, come to me.

I've found it difficult to sleep these past weeks traveling the countryside. Every time I close my eyes I see bloodshed and cries. Where has my head been? I seem more lost than found. Memories guiding me across roads faded from my thoughts. There is no justice in this world. They need a king to rule over their weakness, I must unit this world. I must... fight for this world. I know evil. Is it me? Why do I see a stranger reflecting in water resting in my palm as I drink? Who am I?

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Twitter (My personal twitter)
• Youtube (I make stupid videos)

Facebook:

• Thomas J. Bellezza (My entertainer page)
• BBR Productions Inc. (My production company)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Make A Right Left Here TV (My web based TV show)
• Lord Telmorn Altayon (A character I write about, the first God)
• Altayon (My Theatrical Progressive Metal Band)
• StupidAssQuestions.com (I am a contributor)